Classes & Programs

Come explore the arts this summer at Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts!

Our summer programming offers an engaging, inspiring and safe environment for students to gain new skills and perfect artistry.

Below is a list of our new and popular summer camps. We also have a new session of dance classes for all ages beginning in May, National Tap Dance Day Workshops in May, and private music lessons offered throughout the Summer. Once again MCA is excited to be partnering with the Winona YMCA to offer programs on-site at the Y and the Minnesota Marine Art Museum during our 4th annual Winona Arts Camps. Registration for Spring & Summer 2018 will open online, March 15th. Families can register in person at MCA’s home, the Valencia Arts Center located at 1164 W. 10th Street, Winona, MN.

Mini-Summer Dance Intensive

Are you ready to dance your day away? Here is your chance! Each day dancers will warm up in a ballet class, build foot and ankle strength in pre-pointe, dabble in different theory classes such as dance history, composition (choreography), and theatre, rounding out their dance experience with a “genre of the day” class, including jazz, modern, musical theatre and hip hop. Each day will end with a rehearsal for a final showcase that will be in our Academy Theatre for friends and family. NEW this year, we will have special guest artists including Natasha Posey, who is faculty at Milwaukee Ballet and Danceworks, Inc. No auditions are required, but it is recommended that dancers have at least 3 years of ballet training.

Dates: June 18-29, 2018 M-F

Time: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Performance June 29th, 6:30pm

Age: 9 years- High School (at least 3 years of dance training)

Price: $375

Fee includes over 60 hours of instruction and camp t-shirt. Students will need to bring a lunch and water bottle daily.

Super Artist Camp

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a Super Camper! During this week long adventure, campers will hone their creative super powers. Exploration in dance, theatre, music and visual arts will take their creativity to new heights. Families are invited to an open house at 10:15 am on the last day of camp.

Dates: June 25-29 (Monday- Friday)

Time: 9:30 – 10:45 a.m.

Age: 3-5 years & K-1st grade (students must be potty-trained)

Price: $59, price includes a camp t-shirt

TAP CAMP

Join us for an exciting week of rhythm! TAP CAMP will include classes in tap technique, repertory, improvisation, body percussion, music theory and concepts for the tap dancer, tap history, and tap in films. TAP CAMP is for intermediate and advanced tap dancers ages 11 – 21 or MCA Tap levels II, III, IV, and V. Dancers should bring a water bottle and snack each day. An informal demonstration for family and friends will be held on Friday, Aug. 3rd at 5:00 pm followed by a potluck pizza party! Feel the rhythm, feel the rhyme, come on dancers, it’s TAP CAMP time!

Winona Arts Camp 2018: I Create

Join MCA and Minnesota Marine Art Museum (MMAM) for the 4th annual integrated arts summer camp, but with a new format where students get to choose the visual and performing arts they want to explore. From songwriting to exploring master painters and hip hop dance to stand up commedia (a mix of Commedia Dell'arte and improv theatre) there are plenty of options to satisfy the artist in everyone. Back by popular demand, there will be an all camp talent show on Friday morning and families are invited to attend a livelyshowcase at 3 pm on Friday afternoon. A class selection survey will be sent out to registered student in late Spring.

Dates: August 6-10 (Monday- Friday)

Time: 9:00- 3:30 p.m.

Age: 1st-8th grade

Price: $199, Fee includes camp t-shirt and daily snack. Students will need to bring a lunch and water bottle daily.

NEW! Drummin' up Fun

Use drums, other instruments and your body to tell stories and explore musical concepts in this fun week-long adventure camp. Friends and family will be invited to an informal showcase on the final day of camp.

Dates: Aug. 13-17 (Monday- Friday)

Time: Ages: 3-4, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.

Ages: 5-6, 10:45-11:45 p.m.

Price: $59, price includes a camp t-shirt

Pair with our Nutcracker Fairy Tale Camp and save $10, and daily snack provided between camps. Students will be asked to bring a water bottle each day. Includes camp t-shirt. Students must be potty-trained.

NEW! Nutcracker Fairy Tale Camp

Journey with Clara and the Nutcracker to the lands of snow and sweets as you creatively explore the world of ballet and this classic tale.Friends and family will be invited to an informal showcase on the final day of camp.

Dates: Aug. 13-17 (Monday- Friday)

Time: Ages: 5-6, 9:30 – 10:30 am

Ages 3-4, 10:45-11:45 pm

Price: $59, price includes a camp t-shirt

Pair with Drummin’ up Fun and save $10, and daily snack provided between camps. Students will be asked to bring a water bottle each day. Includes camp t-shirt. Students must be potty-trained.

National Tap Dance Day workshops

Each class will include tap technique, warm-ups and rehearsal to learn a choreographed piece to be performed in the Twin Cities National Tap Dance Day (NTDD) celebration. Even if you do not plan to attend NTDD, you are still welcome to participate and learn! Each year tap celebrations are held in honor of Bill “Bojangles” Robinson’s birthday. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity.

Dates: Classes May 1- May 25, Performance on May 27, in Twin Cities as part of a larger NTDD Celebration organized by Keane Sense of Rhythm.

Dancers will wear MCA Tapper Shirts, new ones can be purchased for $12 in the office.

*Please don't let the lack of tap shoes be a barrier, we have a tap shoes that can be borrowed in most sizes, just ask our office.

Summer Dance Intensive

Experience the nurturing and intimate atmosphere of the 16th annual Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts Summer Dance Intensive If you are an intermediate or advanced dancer between the ages of 11 and 22, who is ready for your dance technique to soar to new heights, then this is the intensive for you! You will spend 7 to 9 hours of your day studying dance in technique classes and rehearsals under the direction of seasoned, professional instructors. Auditions are required for acceptance.

MCA in partnership with the Winona YMCA this Summer & Fall

MCA is proud to be partnering once again with the Winona YMCA to offer more opportunities for local kids to explore the arts and get creative this summer & Fall. Registration for these camp is through the Winona YMCA at: winonaymca.org

While attending the Winona Arts Camp I learned that I wasn’t shy after all!

Lucy

8 Year-old Student

My daughter had a great time at the Summer Dance Intensive (SDI). She enjoyed the teachers, learning new styles of dance, as well as being challenged in styles of dance that she was already familiar with. The teachers were encouraging and supportive. I would highly recommend SDI.

Parent of SDI Participant

In the past few years, I have watched my daughter grow into a more confident little girl. She isn’t as shy as she used to be and enjoys being involved. She absolutely loves tap dance! She fell in love with it last year at this time when she tried the National Tap dance workshop. She has also enjoyed the arts camp and when it was over last summer, she asked when she could go again. She is able to experience a bit of independence while at camp.

Hand drumming can be fun but science has also show that those who drum can experience some of the amazing mental and physical benefit. Here is just a short list of the benefits:

1. Drumming makes you happy. The act of drumming releases endorphins, and alpha brain waves, which help create general feelings of well-being and euphoria.

2. Increased confidence. Playing the drums requires confidence to play LOUD and relatively unapologetic, as students progress they learn skills and confidence to showcase them, helping them excel in many areas of their lives.

Minnesota Conservatory for the arts is excited to welcome the community to our 16th Annual Summer Dance Intensive Showcase on July 28th at 7pm at the Page Theatre on the Saint Mary’s University campus. The showcase performance will feature a variety of dance forms including: ballet, pointe, jazz, musical theatre dance, and modern dance.

Back by popular demand, our 2nd annual Super Artist Camp camp for ages 3- 1st grade is almost here! The week long camp runs June 25-29 at MCA’s home, The Valencia Arts Center. This camp invites young children to explore their inner artist, grow their imaginations, and creative super powers. They will zoom around the room like their favorite heroes, design their own super accessories, sing out proud with their brave voices and more.